Scraper



Nov. 23, 1948.

Filed Sept. l5, 1943 B. F. owEN S CRAPER 2 Shee'ts-Sheet l BF. Snventor (ttorneg Now-23, 1948.4

, Filed sept. v15, 1943 lo I6 B. F. OWEN scRAPER /5\ I` scs 1s nventor B.F. Owen Bg mu 2 shets-sheet 2 Patented Nov. 23, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE SCRAPER Benjamin F. Owen, Omaha, Nebr. Application September 15, 1943, Serial No. 502,483

This invention relates to earth moving machinery and more particularly to Scrapers.

It is an object of the invention to provide a mechanism operable by one man while he is seated on a towing tractor for scraping up earth p and the like, transporting and dumping or spreading the saine.

Another object is to provide a device for the above stated purposes from which earth will not spill during a transportation thereof over rough roads and the like,

4 A further object of the invention is to provide a device which can be employed for pushing or bulldozing piles of earth deposited at the sides of a roadway under construction transversely of said roadway.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device for the above stated purposes which will cut and scrape upearth to a selected depth and to provide means for distributing said earth in a thin layer or a thick layer as may be selected.

More particularly it is an object of the invention to provide .a scraper of sturdy and economical construction having a swingable front wall and a swingable door portion of the rear wall thereof and a swingable bottom, and to provide means for swinging said rear portion to an extent corresponding with and responsive to a swinging of said bottom for spreading or dumping material as may be selected.

Other and further objects ofthe invention will be understood from the following description.

In the drawings: I

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the new device, certain portions thereof being broken away and others showing in section, the walls ofthe bucket of the scraper being in a closed position.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 and showing the relative position of the parts at the time the front wall of the bucket is open and a scraper blade employed is close to a ground engaging position,

Figure 5 is a longitudinal vertical section, the view being taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings `for a more particular description, I0 indicates generally a tractor, not shown. The tractor may be of Farmall type and of conventional'construction, having a power vtake-off shaft atv the `rear end thereof.

12 Claims. (Cl. 37--133) Said shaft is connected by means of gears, at times, to the crank shaft of the engine of the tractor, whereby the operator may manipulate a clutch for applying the power of the engine to said shaft, and the latter may be used, at times, in lieu of the manually actuatable hand crank 42 shown in the drawings for purposes later described.

The rear end of the tractor adjacent said power take-off shaft is provided with a towing step Il. The step II is provided with a plurality of apertures I2 through a selected one of which a, coupling pin may be disposed for utilizing the tractor for towing purposes in a well known manner.

The new device includes a clevis I3, and preferably the clevis includes a plurality of tongues I4 between which the towing step may be selectively disposed in accordance with the height of the towing step above the surface of the ground I5 and in accordance with Whether or not the tractor is of Farmall or other type.

A king pin I6 is disposed through the apertures of selected tongues of the vclevis for pivotally coupling the latter to the towing step Il. A shaft I'I is secured to the clevis by welding or the like, and the rear end of said shaft is provided wth a ball I8 which its loosely into a later described socket.

As best shown in Figure 1, the towing tongue for the scraper of the present invention includes a strap iron bar, generallyindicated at I9. The bar is bent to provide end portions 2l and 22 which are oppositely disposed in parallelism with respect to each other. From the forward ends of said bar portions the bar I9 is bent toprovide portion-s 23 and 24 thereof which are disposed conv-ergently toward the clevis. Adjacent the ball I8 the bar I9 is preferably bent rectangular in plan, as shown in section in Figure 1.

The forward end portion of the bar is provided with an aperture 25 through which the shaft I'I extends, and before said shaft is welded to the clevis said shaft is inserted through the aperture of the bar. The described construction provides a socket 26 Within Which the ball I8 is disposed, whereby the later described scraper'may have pivotal turning movements with respect to the towing step I I.

Preferably a plate 2T is welded to the underneath edges of the `portions of the bar adjacent the socket, and a similar plate 28 secured to the upper edges of said socket for reenforcing the latter. The plate 28 is provided with a standard portion' 29, the upper end of which is provided with a transversely disposed aperture 3e through which a later described worm shaft t! is journalled.

In order to maintain the end portions El and I22 of the bar t9 in parallelism during operation, an arcuate brace bar 3i is provided, the end portions of which are welded to the inner vertical surfaces of the portions 2l and 22 of the bar i9, and preferably a transversely disposed brace bar 32 is employed, especially at times when the scraper is constructed of large capacity for heavy duty. The ends of the 'brace bar 32 are welded or otherwise suitably secured to the ends of the 4 with respect to the tubular member 38 of the towing tongue. The side walls of the bucket are welded to its rear wall 5l, the latter being provided with an upper reenforcing flange 52. The rear Wall is approximately one-half the height of the side walls. A tubular axle `53 is welded to the rear wall 5I, and preferably reenforcing ribs 5d extend from the ange 52 to the stationary axle 53, being welded to said rear wall, ange and axle, whereby the rear portions of the side wall are held rigid and in parallelism.

As best shown in Figures 2 and 5, below said rear wall a door 55 is provided. The upper porarcuate bar 3 l. f'

The rear ends of the portions 2i and 22 are rigidly secured, by means of welding or the like, to like spacing blocks 33 and 34, and the inner surfaces of said blocks are respectively welded to the outer sides of the side walls 35 and 36 of the bucket, the latter being generally7 indicated at 37.

As best shown in Figures l and 5, a tubular member 3B is provided having its rear end Welded to the arcuate bar 3i and its'forward end welded to the rear wall of the socket 2S, whereby a rigid towing tongue for the bucket is provided,

Asbest shown in Figure 5, a vertically disposed plate 39 is provided with notches adjacent its lower end. The vertical walls of said notches abut snugly against the transverse brace bar 32 and the arcuate bar 3l, being rigidly welded to said bars. The upper end of the plate 39 is provided With upstanding spaced apart ears (itl and, as shown in Figure l, said ears also extend transversely from the plate, being apertured for receiving therethrough a worm shaft 6l, said shaft also extending through the aperture 30 at the upper end of the standard 2E. At times when the scraper of the present invention is of small capacity, the forward end of the worm shaftl di is provided with a handcrank 42; and at times when the bucket is constructed for heavy duty and of large capacity, the hand crank is omitted and the above outlined mechanism is employed for utilizing the power yof the engine for imparting revoluble movements'to the Vworm shaft il in either direction as may be selected by the operator. Between the ears 40 a worm screw thread 43 is provided on the shaft il The vertical plate 39 also provides a support for a transversely disposed crank arm shaft 44, the latter being journalled through said plate and through bearing plates 45, the latter, as best shown in Figure l, having forward portions, the lower edges of which are welded to the strap iron bar i9, and rear portions which are welded to the arcuate barSi.

The outer ends of the shaft M are each provided with a crank arm 3&3 rigidly secured'thereto. A worm pinion lil is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the shaft lili adjacent the vertically disposed plate 39, and the teeth d3 of the pinion il are in constant mesh with the thread 43 of the worm screw, whereby at times when revoluble movements are imparted to the worm shaft 4l, in-'either direction', corresponding movement is imparted to the crank arms 46 for purposes later described. A

The oppositely disposed side walls 35 and 3G of the bucket are each provided with an upstanding tang portion (i9, and a tubular brace' is provided having ends which extend through suitable apertures provided through said tangs, said ends being rigidly welded to the tangs, whereby'the forward portion of said side walls are held in rigid parallelism with respect to each other and tion of the door 55 is bent around pivot pins 56 and 51 which extend through suitable apertures provided through the side walls of the bucket, whereby the door is-pivotally mounted for swinging movements in a vertical direction. The lower edge of the door is upturned, providing a reenforcing rib 58, and preferably portions of the side edges are bent to provide vertically disposed reenforcing ribs4` 59 whereby a strong door is formed. l 'Y l The bottom 6.0' of the bucket is composed of a single rigid member and is formed integral 'with its vertically disposed'wings E I and 62 which, as best shown in Figure l, aredisposedin vertical parallelism with and close to their respective sides of the bucket. Each wing is provided with a pivot pin 63 adjacent its forward lower portion, and said pivots extend into the lower forward portions of the side walls, as best shown in Fig ure 5, whereby the bottom of thebucket is pivotally mounted for swinging movements in a vertical direction upon its pivot pins.

Forwardly of the pivot pins the bottom 5G is provided with a down turned `portion 64 to which is secured, by means of suitable keepers or stud bolts 65, a transversely disposed cutter d6, said keepers being indicated in 'Figure l only. The rear edge of the lbottom Sil is provided with a down turned lip portion Bl, and midway between the ends of said lip a latch plate 68 is welded thereto.

As best shown in Figure 5, adjacent the forward upper portion or" the side wings of the bottom each wing is'providecl with a pivot pin 69, which are inwardly disposed. The pins 69 extend through the bushings 1U of the forward ends of links 1I. The rear ends of the links H are pivotally attached as at lZlto inwardly disposed ears 'i3 of the doorv 55, said ears being welded to the inner surface of said door. At times when the rear end of the bottom swings downwardly to the position shown in Figure 5, the links 1I apply a corresponding motion to the pivotally mounted rear door 55, 4pushing the lower edge of. the latterrearwardly and upwardly. At times when the rear edge of the bottom vof the 'bucket is in an up position, as shown in Figure 4, said links cause the door to be swung forwardly correspondingly for closing the rearl off the bucket. The bottom ofthe bucket. and thedoor-are latched together, Aat times, by'a means later described.

The forwardV portion of the-bucket is provided with a swingable wall or` door which is prefwardlyl and the rearends of said arm portions of the flaps are each provided with an aperture through which the stationary tubular axle 53 extends, whereby the kfront Wall or front door is pivotally mounted on said axle for swinging movements in a vertical direction. The side flaps 76 extend rearwardly a distance sufficient to overlap the forward vertical edges of the side walls 35 and 38 of the bucket at times when the front wall is in an up position, as shown in Figure 4, and also at times when the front wall is in a down position, as shown in Figures 3 and 5.

As best shown in Figure 1, at times when the frontwall or door is in a down position, the lower edges'of the arm portions 18 of the flaps rest upon the spacing blocks 33 and 34 which then Serve as detent-s for preventing a swinging movement of the front wall downwardly to an undesired extent, `said spacing blocksy also holding the ends portions and 2l of the strapiron bar` I9 spaced away from the side walls of the bucket a distance sufficient to permit the flaps '|8rfto swing in a vertical direction without binding on -said side walls..

' As best shown in Figures 1 and 2, thetubular axle 53 is provided at each end thereof with outwardly disposed pins 19 and 80 which provide a pivotal mounting for vertically swingable legs 8| and 82. Theipins I9 and 80 respectively extend through the upper ends of the -legs 8| and 82, and keeper detents 83 are disposed through the pins 'i9 and 80 for preventing the legs from becoming removed from their respective pins 'l and 80 during use.`

The lower free ends of the legs are each provided with an outwardly disposed stub ax1e84, each of which supports awheel 85. The wheels may be of solid con-struction, of semi-resilient construction, and preferably are of pneumatic type as shown in the drawings. The stub axles 34 extend into the hubs 86 of the wheels, and preferably ball bearings are provided between said stub axlesand hubs. Y

Adjacent the lower free ends of the legs 8| and 82, each is provided with an integral rear wardly disposed spur portion 81. Each spur is provided with a pivot pin 88. The pins 885'respectively extend through the rear endsof` reach' rods or links 89 and 90, and the forward ends of said links are Apivotally connected as at 9| to the outer free ends of their respective crank arm 46, whereby at times when said crank arms are moved by lthe worm mechanism a corresponding movement is imparted to the wheel supporting legs of the new device for swinging said wheels in a vertical direction correspondingly andA for raising or lowering said wheels with respect to the bucket. i. 1 l.

The mechanism for latching the rear edge of the bottom of the bucket to the bottom edge of the rear door of the bucket includes the yabove described plate 68 and a hook 92. A pair of ears 93 is Welded to the rear outer side of the door and the hook is pivotally attached, as at 94, between said ears. The hook 92 is provided with a forward portion 95, the lower edge of which" is of arcuate contourin side elevation, as best shown in Figure 5, whereby at times when the bottom of the bucket is swung upwardly the latchplate 38 engages said arcuate portion` and forces the latter rearwardly as said latch plate moves up,-

wardly until such time as the hook engages under.

the latch plate 68, as shown in Figure 4, said down turned lip of the bottom permitting said latching, said engagement being forced .by means the latter having a clevis 91 pivotally connected as at 98 to the `outer end of the off-set arm Il` of the hook 92. The spring 95 is disposed between said clevis 97 and a rearwardly disposed plate 99, the latter having an end rigidly welded to the door of the bucket, and since said spring is of expansion type the hook 92 is urged towards the rear door at-all times thereby.

The latch shaft 96 extends through a suitable aperture provided through the plate 99, said shaft having an eye |30 which, as best shown inFigure 5, is attached to a liexible cord or cable |'0|,.and a chain may be employed in lieu of said cable if desired. The other end of the cable is attached to the outer end of a bell crank lever |02. The bell crank |02 is pivotally mounted as at |03 between a pair of ears |04. The forward ends of the ears |04 are rigidly welded to the stationary axle 53, whereby pivotal swinging movements in a vertical direction of the bell crank leve-r |02 are permitted.

The upper end of the bell` crank lever |02 is attached to a rope |05, a portion of which is shown in full lines in Figure 1 and other portions thereof being represented by dotted lines in the several views.

Atwtimes when the rear door is locked to the reariedge of the bottom by means of the hook 92,A a-sshown in Figure 4, and the operator while seated upon the towing tractor pulls the rope |05 towards him, a corresponding movement is imparted to the bell crank lever |02. At this time the flexible cable |01 is taut, as shown in Figures 3 and 4; the then taut cable causes the hook 92 to become disengaged from the latch plate $8 and against the urge of the spring 95, whereupon the weight of the rearend of the bottom of` the bucket causes said rear end to drop downwardly, therebycausing the lower edge of the rear door of the bucket to swing rearwardly.

As best shown in Figures 3 and 4, lugs |08 are welded or otherwise suitably secured to the outer vertically disposed surfaces of each arm portion 18 of the side flap portions of the front wall of the bucket. Preferably the rear end portions of the lugs |06 are slightly upturned, as best shown in Figure 3( As best shown in Figures 1 and 3, each of the legs 8| and 82 is provided with an adjustable set screw |01. The heads of the set screws are arranged to engage the lugs |06 during forward and upward swinging movements of the legs for raising the arms of the front wall of the bucket from their normal position of contact with the spacing blocks 33 and 34, as shown by dotted lines in Figure 3, to an upward position, as shown in Figure 4, whereby the front door or wall of the bucket is open.

As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the several parts of thescraper are in a normal position for being towed rapidly by the tractor I0 in either a loaded or unloaded condition. In operation, for grading and transporting earth, as the scraper approaches the location where earth is to be removed the operator actuates the worm screw mechanism for causing the bucket to be lowered towards the surface of the ground l5 and from the position shown in Figure 3 to the .position thereof shown in Figure 4. VA further lowering of the bucket causes the forward sharp edge of the cutter Eli` to engage the earth during forward travel of the scraper. The front wall of the latter at this time being ina raised position, the bucket fills with earth, whereuponthe wormscrew is then caused to be actuatedA for raisin-g .the -bucket to the position shown i in Figure '3; Thel loadedscraper-is then transportedor towedlfby the tractor. tothelocation where earth is being either filled in or dumpedjy Uponxarriving` at the unloadinglocation,I and assuming :that earth is to. be spreadsin va thin laminatiomthe.bottomof vthe bucket is lowered, by actuating. the wormscrew mechanism,. toa position close tothe-.surface of the ground, whereupon .the rope. llllifis actuated for releasing the hook;A Since the-bottom of the bucket is close to the ground, the rearedge of said bucket :swings downwardly r but a short 'distance and the rear door moves rearwardly a correspondingly short" distance, so that a comparatively thinlamination of soil is deposited or spread during forward travel of the tractor and bucket.

A'thin spreadingof earth is of advantage at times when `the new device is employed for road building purposes and 'during a construction oi?.

athleticelds, since vheavy sheeps ootroller may follow the scraper for compactingdeposited laminations of earth advantageously.

At times when it is desired to dump the scrapers load, the bucket is permittedr to remain .in lan elevatedy position; as shown in Figure -3,1where-f upon the rope H15 is actuated for dumpingrsaid load as a unit and as distinguished from'a spreading of materiaL and this is of advantage at times when lling an embankment adjacent the side of a road.` Afterrthe `load is Adumped the rear Wall and bottom arehooked together and," if desired,

the bucket lowered to the position shown in Figure` loads, and he `can manuallyimove .the rear` endvof the bottom-of the bucket `into latched engagement If desired,- azilexible cable, shown by dotted lines in Figure v only,` mayrbee ywith the hook 92.V

attached to the rear end of either one of the links "H, said cable extending over the brace 50to theV operator of the tractor, .who by hauling .on said cable or :rope maycause saidI bottom to 'become latched'to the rear door and `against the urgeof' the latch spring. t

During forward travelling movementsy andlat times when the bott'omzor the .scraper .istclose to.y the ground,'the down turned lip portion: 61 ofy the'` bottom guards the hooklg'for preventingsaid hookvffrom contacting with' the. ground, whereby an unlatching of the rear door with respect to .thief bottom is prevented at undesired times.V

From'fthe foregoing description it .is thought to be obvious that a scraper.constructedvinlaccordeY ance with my 4invention is particularly well adapted'for use by reason of the convenience and facility: with which: it may be assembled; and` operated,- and it will also be obvious that.my ine vention is susceptible of. some change andimodi-4 cation without departing from `the principlesand`r spirit thereof and for this -reason I do notuwish'to:

be understood as limiting myself to `the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out by invention in practice, except as claimed.

I claim:

1. An earth moving device comprising a tongue having an end arranged'to be pivotally attachedtofthesreangofi admiringI tractor; afbucket having.. side walls and;a.rear'wallrsaidxwalls being rigidlyy attached together and toi-,the otherend offlsaid tongue ;l saidf rear Wall being provided with adoor hingedly; connected thereto; saidbucket being providedfwith`1 a front wall and abottom'each b'eing ,pivotally attached thereto l)for vertical swing ingfmovements;I links having ends pivotally -con nected `to said-door and bottom for causing relative movements thereof; means for'latching said door-and 'bottom together; acutter secured to the front edge of said bottom; .vertically swingable legs havingends pivotally attached to the sides of lthe bucket; revoluble wheels attached to the other endsof saidlegs for .supportingthe bucket abovesaid.earth during transportation `of the bucket; means-forraising said wheel-s and front wall abovesaid cutternfor permittingthe latter to engage said earth 'for loadingfsaidv-bucket during.

a fo'rwardmovement of the bucket; and means for releasingrsaid latchfor permitting said load to move :outwardly'of .the'bucket.

2. An earth moving device comprisingia tongue arranged'. to be `pivotally'` attached to a towing tractor.,` a. bucket'having side Walls and a rear wall; directly .attachedzto said tongue, said rearwalll being f providedi'with a V'door hingedly connected ithereto, saidf bucket Ihaving* a pivotally,

mountedtfront-wall and a-*lbottom pivotally attachedato said :side walls,.means .for latching said doorr and bottoms,together,x.arms lpivotaliy attached' to the l.sides iol-the bucket, wheels revolvably mounted on said arms for vnormally supportingthebucket abovefsaidearth, means for raising said:wheels above sai'dbott-om, and means for raising said frontfwall away from said bottom responsivetoanwactuatonI ofrsaid wheel `raising means 3;-1. Inpan.: earth movingzdevice, a bucket having side wallsand a rear wall 'rigidly attached together, said rear .wall being provided with a Adoor hingedly connected thereto, afront wall anda bottom for said bucket `eachabeing pivotally attachedthereto, links -having'gends pivotally vcon-- nected-to .said doorandxbottom respectively for causing Irelative swinging movements thereof, a latch for securing said Vdoor and bottom togetherforpreventing. said swinging movement, and means for A releasing; saidy latch.

4. In an earth moving device," a .bucket having side walls andfa rear wall rigidly-connected together, saidrear. wall being provided with a door hingedlyjconnected thereto, said `bucket having a bottom'.pivotallyvconnected -to said side walls, a latch` for securingsaid door and bottom together for ipreventing `pivotal .-movements. thereof, said bucket being provided with a iront wall having ainnsdisposedy outwardlybf said side walls, and

a .pivotal connection`v between I saidy bucket and armsadjacent said `rear wall, said-farmszbeing provided with flapportions arranged to overlap theforward portions-of said side walls.-

5: In an earth moving devi-ce, a bucket having spaced apart'side-.fwalls andarear Wall rigidly connected together, said rear wallv being providedyof--said bottom andthe-y lowery end .of Vsaid ydoor together, and means for releasing said latch for permitting material to move outwardly of said bucket.

6. A device as defined in claim whic-h furthei` includes links having ends respectively pivotally connected to said door and bottom for causing relative pivotal movements thereof.

In an earth moving device, a bucket having vertically disposed spaced apart side walls and a rear wall rigidly connected thereto, said rear wall being provided with a door hingedly supported by said rear wall, a bar disposed between and secured to said side walls adjacent the forward upper portions thereof for maintaining said portions substantially parallel, said bucket being provided with a front wall having rearwardly disposed arms outwardly of said side walls, the rear ends of said arms being -pivotally attached to said bucket f-or permitting vertical swinging movements of said front wall with respect to said side walls, said bucket having a bottom pivotally connected adjacent its forward end to said side walls, and a latch for securing said door and bottom together at desired times.

8. An earth moving device comprising a bucket substantially rectangular in plan; a tongue at-V tached to said bucket for towing the latter; wheels for supporting said bucket above a roadway during a conveying movement thereof; said bucket having front and rear walls, side walls and a bottom; a door hingedly connected to said rear wall for swingable movements; said bottom having a pivotal connection between its front and rear ends with said side walls; means for latching said bottom and door together for preventing piv-otal turning movements thereof; means for raising said wheels and yfront Wall above said bottom for permitting the forward end of the latter to engage said earth for scraping a load of material into the bucket during a forward movement of the latter and for lowering said wheels below said bottom after a material loading operation; and means for releasing said latch to permit the rear end .portion of said bottom to swing -downwardly and the lower portion of said door to swing rearwardly for Vpermitting material to move out of said bucket.

9. A device as dened in claim 8 which further includes a link having ends pivotally connected respectively to the door and bottom for causing relative pivotal movements thereof.

10. An earth moving device comprising a bucket having spaced apart side walls, a fron-t wall, a rear wall and a bottom pivotally attached to said side walls; a t-ongue attached to said bucket for towing the latter; wheels for supporting said bucket above a roadway during a conveying movement thereof; means for swinging said wheels above said bottom for permitting the forward end of the latter 4to engage said earth, said means being arranged to actuate said front wall for swinging the latter above said bottom during a material loading operation; means for opening a portion of said rear wall for permitting said material to move outwardly of the bucket for unloading the latter; and means for latching said swingable portion of the rear wall to said bottom at desired times.

11. An earth moving device comprising a tongue arranged to be lpivotally attached to a towing tractor, a lbucket having side walls and a rear wall directly attached to said tongue, said rear wall being provided with a door hingedly connected thereto, said bucket having a pivotally mounted front wall and a bottom pivotally attached to said side walls, means for lat-ching said door and bottom together, a cutter secured to the fron-t edge of said bottom, wheel arms pivotally attached to the sides of the bucket, wheels revolv ably mounted -on said wheel arms for normally supporting the bucket above said earth during transportation of the bucket, means -for raising said Wheels and f-ront wall upwardly with respect to said bottom and means for raising said front wall away from said bottom responsive to an actuation of said Wheel raising means.

12. A device as defined in claim 11 which further includes means for releasing said latch.

BENJAMIN F. OWEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Johnson Sept. 9, 1941 

